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Background information

Statutory register of divorces (from 1 May 1984)

Statutory register of civil partnerships (from 2005)

Statutory register of dissolutions of a civil partnership (from 2007)

Background information

The statutory registers of divorces, of civil partnerships and of dissolutions of a civil partnership are indexed by personal name. Images of the register entries are not available to view online in accordance with the National Record of Scotland’s policy on protecting the privacy of individuals.

You have to register and login to use these services:

  • To order a certificate for official or legal purposes please go to the order a certificate page for guidance about online ordering.
  • Divorces, civil partnerships and dissolutions are record types in the statutory registers search category. Search results include an order certificate option.

Statutory register of divorces (from 1 May 1984)

Go to the statutory registers divorces search. You have options to search on:

  • Surname
  • Forename
  • Spouse's surname
  • Year range (from 1984)

The amount of information on extract decree of divorce is limited. You can expect to find the following:

  • Names and addresses of both parties (the pursuer and the defender)
  • Sheriff Court
  • Court reference number
  • Date of decree of divorce
  • Date of marriage
  • Place of marriage

Prior to 1 May 1984 divorces in Scotland, of couples who had married in Scotland, were recorded in the Register of Corrected Entries. The Statutory register of marriages record guide includes an example. For information about the related court papers and a history of divorce in Scotland please go to the Divorce and separation records guide on the National Records of Scotland website.

Statutory register of civil partnerships (from 2005)

Go to the statutory registers civil partnerships search. You have options to search on:

  • Surname
  • Forename
  • Partner's surname and forename
  • Gender
  • Year range (from 2005)
  • County or city or Minor Records
  • District - if you have selected Minor Records leave as the default 'All districts'

The register records the following:

  • Date and place of registration
  • Names of both parties
  • Occupations of both parties
  • Marital or civil partnership status
  • Date of birth
  • Country of birth
  • Usual residence
  • Father's full name and occupation
  • Mother's full name, maiden name and occupation
  • Name of the person registering the partnership
  • Names and addresses of witnesses
  • Date of entry in the register

Statutory register of dissolutions of a civil partnership (from 2007)

Go to the statutory registers dissolutions search. You have options to search on:

  • Surname
  • Forename
  • Partner's surname
  • Year range (from 2007)

The amount of information on extract decree of dissolution of a civil partnership is limited. You can expect to find the following:

  • Names and addresses of both parties (the applicant and the respondent)
  • Sheriff court
  • Court reference number
  • Date of decree of dissolution of the civil partnership
  • Date of registration of the civil partnership
  • Place of registration of the civil partnership